Employees say that's just one of the benefits of working for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company that develops and manufactures treatments for a range of serious medical conditions.

Bernhard Schilling, a scientist from Germany and a director of process sciences at the plant, said hearing patient testimonials is "the most satisfying part of the job."

One of the drugs produced by Regeneron, Eylea, helps reverse "wet" age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the elderly.

"When you hear that your work has given someone something back that they thought they had lost, it's inspiring," Schilling said.

The Tarrytown-based company recently crossed the 2,000-employee mark, and nearly 600 of them work at the East Greenbush location, where drug manufacturing takes place.

There have been lots of new hires, and plenty of opportunities for current employees to develop skills and move to different positions within the company.

Michael Walsh started with Regeneron in March 2010 as a corporate security officer. He soon earned a degree in criminal justice, which Regeneron helped pay for through its tuition assistance program, and this past August he started a new career with the company as a drug supplies coordinator.

He said the best part about his new position is the travel. He's flown to oversee the packaging and labeling of drug products in Chicago, San Francisco and Montpellier, France, all in the last couple of months.

"I love that I get to meet new people and learn new things from them," Walsh said.

Regeneron is rich in company spirit, and recently, there's been a lot to brag about. Last November, industry publication Scrip recognized Regeneron as "Biotechnology Company of the Year."

In May, the Rensselaer County site's Industrial Operations and Product Supply group will receive a Shingo Bronze Medallion at the Shingo Prize International Conference, which recognizes operational excellence, or as employees called it, the "Nobel Prize" of manufacturing.

In terms of production capacity, Regeneron is now among the top 15 biopharmaceutical facilities worldwide, and can make as many as five drugs simultaneously, or more than 20 in a single year. The company has products in development for a range of conditions, including arthritis, asthma and high cholesterol.

Regeneron staff work closely together, and the sense of camaraderie shows. On the Top Workplace surveys, employees said things like "There is no work place drama!" and "I feel like I am part of something."

Chad Kowieski, senior manager of production maintenance, said that every staff member is valued.

"You're not looked at as just a numbered employee," Kowieski said. "There's a sense of ownership and pride here."

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals employees love their jobs because:

"I work with an outstanding group of people and feel that the company appreciates the work I do."

"It is a challenging and dynamic environment, which continually stimulates me intellectually."

"People want to do the right thing; management supports doing the right thing no matter how difficult."

"I feel well respected and appreciated for the work I do on a daily basis."

"I feel like I contribute positively to help bring new medicines to those in need."

Source: 2013 Times Union Top Workplaces survey

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Capital Region headquarters: East Greenbush

Business sector: Biotechnology Pharmaceutical

Year founded: 1988

Number of employees: 545 in East Greenbush; 2,000 in U.S.

Giving back: Among the ventures of employee volunteer program Regeneron in the Community is a science education effort implemented in partnership with local school districts, academic institutions and communities.